i’ve been a regular here for 15 years. it’s a favorite for a reason. i’ve noticed over the years when there’s a turnover w a new cook or staff that’s usually when you see an uncharacteristic issue here. Sometimes they’ll skimp you on the meat and leave you hungry. But most standard w Antonio’s food is filling portions where i usually struggle to finish the 1st half of a sandwich. If i’m ever hungry after both halves i look up and see a new staff. The bread is to die for. The drinks are phenomenal, even their coffee. Antonio is very creative and savvy with how he’s run his business. Very patient and present owner I always see him helping out in the kitchen. Out of any local business owner he stands out from the rest and gives his all to this establishment. He has a culinary degree from a Paris cullinary school, i read it on a plaque there one time from a news paper clip he had hung. maybe its still there i havent looked. After 15 years of being a regular here, the food always has the same ✨wow✨ shock to ur tastebuds w the first bite and the same exact juicy flavors. I love the consistency. If something is ever off, too much shoestring slaw or too little sauce, it’s 10/10 always due to turnover/a new hire. My go-to order is a #5 Rumba Pulled Pork with a Maracuya (fresh passion fruit) drink w side potatoes and extra escaveche sauce. they always forget to add the extra sauce (costs $1) but i remind them and they hand it. Cashiers here are always friendly with a smile. Due to being a small space and strong popularity expect to wait anywhere from 20-45 mins on a busy day. I try to go at a decent non-rush hour and food is ready within 10-15 mins.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bells Flesher
So delicious I smile the entire time I’m eating! Café rumba is on the menu for me every time I visit Bellingham. :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anna Guillette
UPDATED Dec 2025: So happy to update my review for Cafe Rumba. I ordered the #4, which is what I ordered in my OG post, and it was phenomenal! Better serving of side potatoes and overall great taste and delightfully crispy bread. The avocado was past ripe but that was my only critique. Highly recommend the passion fruit juice!There was a wait but the staff was up front about that upon ordering. I am glad I came back to give this place a second chance.
ORIGINAL REVIEW- 2 Stars
Dec 2024: Very small amount of food for the price. Each sandwich is around $20. Entirely too much spice on the Pollo Tocino Y Palta sandwich. Bread was extremely dry as well. The chicken and ingredients were great when I wasn’t overwhelmed by spicy. Potatoes were good but I was only served 2 bites. Large variety of Jarritos sodas to choose from. However, I did leave hungry. The restaurant was dusty and dirty inside, it could use some attention. Attention to the portions and state of the dining area can really make this place great.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
Kyle Tabor
I never write reviews. I took about two bites of the sandwich and had to take a picture of it and write a review because it’s so freaking good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sherbet
Half an hour wait (it wasn’t busy) for a sandwich and yuca to go. Sandwich was good! Yuca was way over cooked, tough and hard to take a bite of. Previous visit the food was better.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Joe Friend
Love the sandwiches.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meshak Drew
Great little restaurant! Loved the Butifarra. Staff was extremely friendly in spite of how busy they were. Will be back!
Amazing sandwiches. Didn’t like the loud hip hop inside — rumba would be better. Nonetheless would visit again and again.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 4
Matthew “Homie” Thompson Jr.
I absolutely loved the sandwiches they have to offer at this hidden gem of a restaurant, and that's not including the bakery that is right next door that is apart of the restaurant! Totally need to try their food if you haven't already!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Lauren Laster
Stopped in to the restaurant and bakery on our drive home from our trip in Vancouver, BC. Crissy, who was working the counter in the bakery, was a doll! Such a genuine and great vibe from her. Her service was lovely. We got the alfajores( Peruvian cookies with dulce de leche) which were a yummy treat.
Really delicious food, well prepared and varied.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
i’ve been a regular here for 15 years. it’s a favorite for a reason. i’ve noticed over the years when there’s a turnover w a new cook or staff that’s usually when you see an uncharacteristic issue here. Sometimes they’ll skimp you on the meat and leave you hungry. But most standard w Antonio’s food is filling portions where i usually struggle to finish the 1st half of a sandwich. If i’m ever hungry after both halves i look up and see a new staff. The bread is to die for. The drinks are phenomenal, even their coffee. Antonio is very creative and savvy with how he’s run his business. Very patient and present owner I always see him helping out in the kitchen. Out of any local business owner he stands out from the rest and gives his all to this establishment. He has a culinary degree from a Paris cullinary school, i read it on a plaque there one time from a news paper clip he had hung. maybe its still there i havent looked. After 15 years of being a regular here, the food always has the same ✨wow✨ shock to ur tastebuds w the first bite and the same exact juicy flavors. I love the consistency. If something is ever off, too much shoestring slaw or too little sauce, it’s 10/10 always due to turnover/a new hire. My go-to order is a #5 Rumba Pulled Pork with a Maracuya (fresh passion fruit) drink w side potatoes and extra escaveche sauce. they always forget to add the extra sauce (costs $1) but i remind them and they hand it. Cashiers here are always friendly with a smile. Due to being a small space and strong popularity expect to wait anywhere from 20-45 mins on a busy day. I try to go at a decent non-rush hour and food is ready within 10-15 mins.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So delicious I smile the entire time I’m eating! Café rumba is on the menu for me every time I visit Bellingham. :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
UPDATED Dec 2025: So happy to update my review for Cafe Rumba. I ordered the #4, which is what I ordered in my OG post, and it was phenomenal! Better serving of side potatoes and overall great taste and delightfully crispy bread. The avocado was past ripe but that was my only critique. Highly recommend the passion fruit juice!There was a wait but the staff was up front about that upon ordering. I am glad I came back to give this place a second chance.
ORIGINAL REVIEW- 2 Stars
Dec 2024: Very small amount of food for the price. Each sandwich is around $20. Entirely too much spice on the Pollo Tocino Y Palta sandwich. Bread was extremely dry as well. The chicken and ingredients were great when I wasn’t overwhelmed by spicy. Potatoes were good but I was only served 2 bites. Large variety of Jarritos sodas to choose from. However, I did leave hungry. The restaurant was dusty and dirty inside, it could use some attention. Attention to the portions and state of the dining area can really make this place great.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
I never write reviews. I took about two bites of the sandwich and had to take a picture of it and write a review because it’s so freaking good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Half an hour wait (it wasn’t busy) for a sandwich and yuca to go. Sandwich was good! Yuca was way over cooked, tough and hard to take a bite of. Previous visit the food was better.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Love the sandwiches.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great little restaurant! Loved the Butifarra. Staff was extremely friendly in spite of how busy they were. Will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best sandwiches in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It doesn’t get better than this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
This food is fire. Also love the maracuya juice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Linguica Yuca Scramble
Amazing sandwiches. Didn’t like the loud hip hop inside — rumba would be better. Nonetheless would visit again and again.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 4
I absolutely loved the sandwiches they have to offer at this hidden gem of a restaurant, and that's not including the bakery that is right next door that is apart of the restaurant! Totally need to try their food if you haven't already!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Stopped in to the restaurant and bakery on our drive home from our trip in Vancouver, BC. Crissy, who was working the counter in the bakery, was a doll! Such a genuine and great vibe from her. Her service was lovely. We got the alfajores( Peruvian cookies with dulce de leche) which were a yummy treat.
Food: 5
Service: 5
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